Abi Armstrong-PG/AM 19/10/2007 09:25 Page 1

ROCK ‘n’ ROLL has always been as much about a particular image as it has been about the music. Of course critically acclaimed records and a loyal following are all well and good but almost every band that has made it big knows that one iconic photo can almost have the same effect as a hit record in terms of generat- ing publicity and creating myth. Shutterbug It is this lure of catching a band at just the right moment on stage that first attracted Beaumont nurse Abi Armstrong to music photography. Inspired by the influential photos of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones in their heyday, Abi now spends most of her free time frequenting ’s many music venues taking shot after shot of Ireland’s best bands. Speaking to WIN shortly after the recent Hard Working Class Heroes music festival, Abi said that her fascination with photos began at a young age.“I have always had an interest in taking photos and trying to capture the moment.When I was growing up, I was always the kid with the camera in case I stumbled upon something interest- ing and I still carry one in my bag.” When she started getting interested in music and attending gigs, Abi found that the amount of disposable cameras she used began to multiply so rapidly that she decided to take the next step and invest in a camera that wouldn’t have to be thrown out after use: “Seeing as I spent most weeks going to gigs or buying CDs, it was Lady in red: Singer Cathy Davey a natural progression to merge one inter- photographed by Abi during est with the other. I love being able to September’s Hard Working Class Heroes festival combine my two hobbies together and it also means I get the best view in the house which is great.” Stress release Spending your downtime hours on your feet between a noisy audience and an Picture even noisier band might not be every nurse’s idea of relaxation. However, when the house lights go down and her camera starts to roll, there isn’t any other place she wants to be. “Nursing is a very stressful job at times perfect and It’s nice to be able to relax after a long day. The thought has crossed my mind that maybe I should have chosen a hobby Armed with her camera and access all areas in which I can sit down. I seem to be on my feet all day at work and also when I’m at a pass, nurse Abi Armstrong has photographed gig,”she said. some of Ireland’s best bands, “But it’s also good to have a release from it all that doesn't involve sitting in front of writes Patrick Gleeson the television. Photography brings its own

54 WIN November 2007 Vol 15 Iss 10 Abi Armstrong-PG/AM 19/10/2007 09:29 Page 2

Interview

Rock gallery: Some of Abi’s other photos (l-r): (Kieran);The Blonde Majority; Delorentos (Ronan); Iain Archer; Jenny Lindfors; and Simple Kid

pressure though because you only have a most sought after photographers in got the opportunity to photograph Karen certain time frame to get that key picture. Ireland. O, singer with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. She is But it’s all worth it because taking a great I also really admire Ami Barwell. She has so alive on stage and always looks out of shot at a gig is so enthralling.” taken photos of Interpol, Editors, and REM this world in photos,”she said. Dublin’s live music scene is going from and many of her photos have been used Ambition strength to strength and there are gigs on as covers. It’s really encouraging to Abi is under no illusions about how every night of the week and Abi admits see that so many of the highly regarded tough it is to make it in the world of pho- that it can be difficult to fit them all in. photographers are female.” tography and for now she is concerned “I try to work around gigs as much as Wish list with developing her craft while continu- possible. We work three to four days a Every photographer has a list of people ing to build her portfolio.“I am relatively week which means I can make a couple of they would love to work with and Abi is no new to this world so I realise that it will gigs a week and the hospital is very under- different. She cites indie favourites Arcade take time to build a reputation,”she said. standing in that if I need a weekend off for Fire, Interpol, Kings of Leon and The Pixies “An exhibition of some of my work is a gig they will try and facilitate me which as bands that she would like to see one of my goals for the future but at the is great. through her lens but there is one singer moment I can be quite shy about showing The only frustrating thing is when I am that she wants to photograph more than them until I decide which ones are the on night duty and there is a gig I want to anyone else. best. cover but overall my day job is flexible “It would be an amazing experience if I I am also keen to expand my repertoire enough to allow adequate time to pursue and get involved in sport and fashion pho- freelance photography.” tography because there are a lot of Published work freelance photographers in Dublin so the Although she hasn’t been doing music wider your field of interest is the more in photography for very long, Abi is begin- demand you’ll be.” ning to make a name for herself and some Can she see herself pursuing it as a full bands, including the hotly-tipped time career someday? Delorentos, have used her photos for their “Well, At the moment nursing is my official online galleries. career and photography is my hobby but Abi believes that this kind of recogni- this could change in the future. I love nurs- tion can lead to bigger things and she ing but it is a tough job and it can take its points to some of her contemporaries as toll. If I’m honest I can’t see myself still an example. nursing when I’m 60 but I can imagine “I really admire photographers like Lili myself at music gigs with my OAP pass in Forberg, who is an amazing music and one hand and my camera in the other so I fashion photographer,” she revealed.“She guess you never know.” started out the same way as me, by taking Snap happy: Beaumont nurse and freelance photographer Abi Armstrong To see more of Abi’s work log onto photos at gigs and she is now one of the www.abiarmstrong.com

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